Lyrics by Frank DiGiacomo and Julian R. Pace.

The Beast, hoping to please Beauty, agrees that she may visit her family, but that she must return to him.

Photography by Sherry Eckstein                                                                     Photography by John Dowling

LYRICS
Beast:
       (Gravely:) I have placed my hopes in you.
        You must return to me or I shall die.
 
Beauty:
        Why do you say such things, why speak of death?
        What do you mean?
        You will always be in my thoughts and dreams,
        as this Rose will be near to my heart.
        I will not be away too long.

Beast:
        I beg you, I implore you, do not stay away so long
        that you return to barren gardens and an empty house!
        
Beauty:
        Ah, why do you say such things?
        My Father and my Sisters will always be dear to me,
        but your house will always be my home.
        For I have learned to love you,
        and though my heart’s desires are not clear to me,
        I know my place is by your side.
        So do not speak of death—so do not speak of death, my lord,
        for soon I will be back here with you!

Beast: 
        More than you know, this house, these my servants,
        and myself above all, love and depend on you.
        You are the very air I breathe.
        Without you I’ll surely die—I’ll die!
        For you alone are all my life;
        without your love, my life will surely end;
        I will die!

         (Beauty turns to leave, approaches the door.)
 
 Beast:
        Farewell, farewell!
        Go to the garden; your way shall be made clear!

(At the door she hesitates, then rushes back to kiss his hand, which he tries too late to draw away from her; then she hurries from the room without looking back. The Beast, left alone, calls after her:)

Beast:
        Don’t leave me, Beauty!

(He bows his head in despair. Caressing the hand she has just kissed, he goes out into the garden and sinks down under the Withered Tree.)